Friday, June 10, 2005

Why "Small Things?"

Most of us don't aspire to do great things with our lives. I think most of us just hope to do well with the things we're given. To do a good job raising our kids, to be gracious to our family and friends. And maybe to make a difference here and there in our lifetime.

Mother Teresa said that God has created us to do just that--small things. She said, "We can do no great things--only small things with great love."

That love is the caveat. We don't have to do great things, but the small things--taking care of each other, giving to each other, comforting each other--we must do with great love.

And the small things are sometimes the most challenging. It's not just about hugging your kids and speaking kindly to your spouse and your parents. The hard stuff may be doing 8 loads of laundry a week for your family. Staying up with your sick child for 36 hours. Working overtime to pay for your child's tuition. Making room for a sick parent to move in with you. Not easy.

Even harder is taking that love across the street, or into our communities. Doing the small things for neighbors and strangers.

So it is a comfort to know that God only asks small things of us. But He also asks for great love. And that's the hard part, isn't it?

Comments

Why "Small Things?"

Most of us don't aspire to do great things with our lives. I think most of us just hope to do well with the things we're given. To do a good job raising our kids, to be gracious to our family and friends. And maybe to make a difference here and there in our lifetime.

Mother Teresa said that God has created us to do just that--small things. She said, "We can do no great things--only small things with great love."

That love is the caveat. We don't have to do great things, but the small things--taking care of each other, giving to each other, comforting each other--we must do with great love.

And the small things are sometimes the most challenging. It's not just about hugging your kids and speaking kindly to your spouse and your parents. The hard stuff may be doing 8 loads of laundry a week for your family. Staying up with your sick child for 36 hours. Working overtime to pay for your child's tuition. Making room for a sick parent to move in with you. Not easy.

Even harder is taking that love across the street, or into our communities. Doing the small things for neighbors and strangers.

So it is a comfort to know that God only asks small things of us. But He also asks for great love. And that's the hard part, isn't it?